Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Next port was Naples. We decided to take an excursion with the ship to Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii. At Mt. Vesuvius, we hiked up to the top to see beautiful views and the inside of the volcano. It is dormant but you could see smoke and steam coming out of parts of the crater.

Pompeii, was so interesting. To see a Roman city so intact, and to be so close to such ancient history was life changing. It was a day full of adventure!

I was so excited to see Florence. We had a busy day planned. There were two museums we got tickets for and not a lot of time, so we were very organized. We started at the Uffizi where the main attraction was Botticelli's “The Birth of Venus” and “Springtime”. They were incredible! The museum had so many wonderful pieces of art that I thought I would never be able to see. After the Uffizi we headed over to the Academia to see Michelangelo's “The David”. Wow! It was perfection. We had sometime left to see The Dumo cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. Another amazing day!!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Our first port on the cruise was Monte Carlo. Monaco is a small country but wow, it is amazing. The elegance and beauty was incomparable. We were there days before the royal wedding of the prince of Monaco, there was lost of preparation going on all over the areas, close to the palace. We did some sight seeing and then found a nice beach and swam in the gorgeous water.

Our second day in Rome was as amazing as the first. We headed to the Vatican early in the morning. Before we went in we were able to see the Pope! He rode around the square and addressed the public. It was so cool.

We then went into the Vatican and had an incredible tour. I saw so many pieces of art that I have always wanted to see. The best was the Sistine chapel. Words can not express how overwhelming and breath taking it is.

After the Vatican we went into St. Paul's cathedral. Again, so awesome!!! Everything is so intricate and beautiful. It really was grander than even my imagination could think. The highlight was Michelangelo's Pieta.

We spent the whole day at the Vatican and St. Paul’s. After we went to dinner at an outdoor café and had the best homemade ravioli’s. In Rome!!!!! I didn’t want to leave Rome but was really excited for all the amazing places we were headed to next